We will all face contradictions in our journey of faith. Situations that seem to contradict God’s will for our lives.
“Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing.”
- 1 Kings 17:17
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
- John 16:33
“Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.”
- Mark 4:35-37
In the face of contradictions, we often doubt God’s goodness and love.
“She said to Elijah, “What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?...“Lord my God, have you brought tragedy even on this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?”
- 1 Kings 17:18, 20
“Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
- Mark 4:38
In the face of contradictions, we must remember the word of God.
“For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.”
- 1 Kings 17:14
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…”
- Romans 8:28-29
When we face contradictions, we need to persevere in prayer.
“He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his bed. 20 Then he cried out to the Lord, “Lord my God, have you brought tragedy even on this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?” 21 Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried out to the Lord, “Lord my God, let this boy’s life return to him!”
- 1 Kings 17:19-21
When we persevere, greater faith and resilience are developed for greater victories in the future.
“Elijah picked up the child and carried him down from the room into the house. He gave him to his mother and said, “Look, your son is alive!” 24 Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth.”
- 1 Kings 17:23-24